Cardinals Fall to Dayton in Spring Opener 1-0
March 23, 2013 | Men's Soccer
March 23, 2013
Louisville, Ky. - The University of Louisville men's soccer team fell 1-0 to Dayton to open up the spring season on Saturday afternoon at Cardinal Park.
After starting strong in the first 10 minutes, Dayton was able to get on the board with the match's opening goal past Joachim Ball in the 15th minute.
The Cards registered their first shot on goal off of a header from Daniel Keller off of a corner kick in the 23rd minute, but struggled early in the first half to find their rhythm in in the attack.
With just under 20 minutes remaining in the half, Louisville was able to build pressure on the Dayton back four, with Zach Foxhoven carrying the load up top. Foxhoven was able to register a couple of shots on goal as the Cards' gained confidence in the attack.
Dayton took a 1-0 lead into the halftime break, and also carried a 4-2 advantage in shots on goal. Louisville started the second half pushing a higher tempo and was able to put the Flyers under pressure in the defensive third. They also brought a new energy to the attack and produced good chances in the offensive third.
Just seven minutes into the second half, Foxhoven was able to slip a ball through Dayton's back four to link up with Marlon Hairston, but he was called offsides. In the first fifteen minutes of the half, Louisville was able to pressure the Dayton defense with an increased efficiency with two shots on goal.
Despite a better effort on both sides from the Cardinals, the Flyers were able to hold off a flurry of late attacks from the likes of Hairston and Foxhoven to secure the 1-0 victory.
Louisville will be back in action at Cardinal Park this Thursday, March 28th when they host Xavier in their final home match of the spring. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
Louisville Shots- 6, Saves- 5, Corners- 3, Fouls- 9
Dayton Shots- 6, Saves- 6, Corners- 5, Fouls- 9
